For more than ten years, the Murfreesboro Breakfast Rotary Club has been at the heart of Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity’s beloved “Cookin’ To Build” event—an annual fall highlight that blends community, creativity, and compassion in support of building homes and hope.
Set against the charming backdrop of the Historic Murfreesboro Town Square, “Cookin’ To Build” invites families, friends, and neighbors each November to share hearty bowls of soup, chili, and stew—all while raising vital funds to advance Habitat’s mission of affordable housing for families in need Habitat for Humanity+9Habitat for Humanity+9wgnsradio.com+9. In 2024 alone, the event drew over 1,000 attendees and raised more than $81,000 toward Habitat’s local homeownership programs wgnsradio.com.
The Murfreesboro Breakfast Rotary’s decade-long commitment to “Cookin’ To Build” has been more than a tradition—it’s an expression of Rotary in action. For ten years and counting, Rotarians have served, supported, and celebrated alongside Habitat staff, sponsors, and the broader community. Whether donning aprons in the food tent, helping attendees paint bowls at Color Me Mine, or sponsoring the event alongside local businesses, Rotary’s presence is woven throughout the event’s spirit and success wgnsradio.com+2Habitat for Humanity+2.
This year’s 18th Annual Cookin’ To Build, scheduled for Saturday, November 1, 2025, will give early-access attendees a chance to paint their own bowl at Color Me Mine starting August 1, and reward them with first dibs at the all-you-can-eat experience beginning at 10:30 a.m. Habitat for Humanity+1. A bowl painted is not just art—it’s a ticket, a take-home keepsake, and a tangible symbol of community craftsmanship supporting Habitat’s mission.
Rotary’s decade of participation has helped “Cookin’ To Build” thrive as a fun, creative, and mission-driven staple of the community. This longstanding involvement reflects Rotary’s belief in building not just homes—and soup bowls—but the kind of fellowship that truly strengthens neighborhoods and brings people together for lasting change.
As we look ahead to November, the Breakfast Rotary Club invites everyone to come out, share a hot bowl and a big smile, and continue this tradition of service. Whether attending, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, each of us has a role to play in building affordable housing and hope in Rutherford County.